The Loire Valley in France has fueled many a celebration, with its Vouvray and Chinon wines. But neither of those wines suggests good cheer and joie de vivre as well as the valley’s first: Sancerre blanc. Made for at least 1500 years in a handful of locales in this lush region, Sancerre is bright and sunny in disposition, lingering just a bit on the finish. Over a recent dinner, friends argued whether a 2000 Guy Saget Sancerre tasted more of green apples or grapefruit. Either description may fall short: the wine is tart, perhaps, but not quite as tangy as the former; and, though suggestive of citrus, it bears no hint of the latter’s bitterness. What it tastes like, as much as anything, is goodwill. In the 11th century, an abbey produced a Sancerre wine that it served to the abbot’s friends with the blessing, " This wine gladdens sad hearts. "

Guy Saget Sancerre is available for $11.99/bottle at some Stop & Shop stores and for various prices at most wine sellers.